Staff

Kent Marcum serves as President of the firm and is active in assisting families and directing funerals on a regular basis. Kent and his wife, the former Cathy Calloway are the parents of two children, Andrew and Whitney. A licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Tennessee, Kent is a graduate of the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science and attended the University of Tennessee and Lincoln Memorial University. An employee of Rose Mortuary since 1976, he is a member of the McKinney Lodge, Northside Kiwanis Club, North Knoxville Business and Professional Association and Halls Business Professional Association. . Kent enjoys golf, reading, and traveling.

Robert Starkey serves as Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer of the firm and is active in assisting families and directing funerals on a regular basis. Bob and his wife, the former Ann “Kitzie” Miller are the parents of three children, Beth Starkey Duncan (Gary), Brian Starkey (Sarah), and Adam Starkey(Janna). Brian and Adam are both full time staff at the funeral home. A licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Tennessee, Bob is a graduate of the Tennessee Military Institute, University of Tennessee, and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He is a member and past president of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association, has served on the policy board of the National Funeral Directors Association, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Knoxville. Bob is the Past President of the Tennessee State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Bob and Kitzie are members of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. He enjoys spending time with his eight grandchildren, family, and reading about maritime history.

Brian Starkey serves the firm as a funeral director and embalmer. Brian is a graduate of Webb School of Knoxville & the University of Tennessee where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. After a professional career as a screenwriter in Los Angles for 13 years he and his wife returned to Knoxville to raise their twin daughters. Brian attended Jefferson State Community College of Funeral Service Education graduating at the top of his class. Brian is a member of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. Brian is married Sarah Bohm Starkey of Knoxville and they have twin daughters, Sophie and Maddie who attend Concord Christian Middle School where Sarah is the sixth and seventh grade math teacher. His family attends FBC concord. Brian loves the art of story telling and views Funeral service as both a ministry and "Life Story" telling opportunity. He enjoys writing, traveling with his family, and constantly perusing innovation to keep the firm relevant for today's families.

Adam Starkey is a graduate of Farragut High School, the University of Tennessee and Jefferson State Community College of Funeral Service Education. A former teacher in the Knox County School System, Adam is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Tennessee. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association.

Adam is married to the former Janna Rymer. Adam and Janna have 4 children (Xander, Brooklyn, Max, and Gracie). Adam and Janna attend NorthStar Church. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Bearden. Adam enjoys spending time with his family, playing ping-pong, amateur woodworking, and University of Tennessee athletics.

Drew Marcum serves the firm as a funeral director and embalmer. An associate of Rose Mortuary since 2001, Drew is a graduate of Knoxville Catholic High School, Carson-Newman College, and Jefferson State Community College of Funeral Service Education, and attended Nashville School of Law. He is a member of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association, is active in the Independent Funeral Group of Tennessee, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Jefferson State Community Funeral Service Program. Drew is married to Kathryn Nottingham of Kingsport who is a nurse practitioner. They are members of Grace Presbyterian Church. Drew enjoys golf, fly fishing, and spending time with friends and family.

Whitney Marcum Hunthrop serves the firm as an administrative assistant specializing in death certification and insurance services at our Broadway Chapel. She is a graduate of Knoxville Catholic High School and attended the Tennessee Technology Center and Carson-Newman College. Whitney is the wife of Justin Hunthrop, and mother to Parker Hunthrop. She is a member of the Emory Road Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Whitney enjoys horseback riding, writing and watching movies.

Barbara Davis has served the firm as our staff instrumentalist for nearly forty years. She is proficient in both piano and organ accompaniment with all styles of music. She has served as organist in several Knoxville churches for more than 45 years. Barbara is married to James Davis and they have two children and two grandchildren. Barbara enjoys oil painting, traveling and cooking. She and James are active members of Smithwood Baptist Church.

Frank Davis serves as a funeral director for the firm. An associate of Mann Mortuary since 1978 and Rose Mortuary since 1996. A licensed funeral director in the State of Tennessee, Frank is a member of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. Frank and his wife Bashie enjoy traveling and music in their leisure and spending time with their pets.

Charles S. (Smitty) Giles, II serves the firm as a funeral assistant. Smitty lived his early years in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. He is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga and attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville studying Business Administration, Communications and Ornamental Horticulture.

He and his wife, the former Marilyn Henegar of Clinton, Tennessee, are the parents of three children and are members of Concord United Methodist Church and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Smitty is a veteran’s advocate honoring our veterans through participation in Tennessee Patriot Heart Riders and Rolling Thunder, Inc. Tennessee Chapter 3.

Bill Martin serves as a funeral director and embalmer for the firm. An employee of Rose Mortuary since 1979, Bill is a graduate of Gibbs High School and the Mid-America College of Mortuary Science. A licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Tennessee, Bill is a member of the Burlington Lodge #763 F&AM, the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association, the National Funeral Directors Association and is a Pre-Need Sales Agent. Bill and his wife Debbie have two daughters, Kayla Akins and husband, Drew and Brooke Martin, and attend Corryton Church. He enjoys softball and basketball.

Sam Ware serves the firm as a funeral director. Sam is a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College and has also done graduate work. He is a licensed funeral director in the State of Tennessee and is a member of the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. Sam and his wife, Karen, have three daughters and two granddaughters and are members of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Sam enjoys music and reading.

Ashley Torkelson serves the firm as a funeral director and embalmer. An associate of Rose Mortuary since 2017, Ashley is a graduate of McCreary Central High School (Stearns, KY.), Tusculum College, and Jefferson State Community College of Funeral Service Education (Birmingham, AL.). Ashley is a member of the Tennessee Funeral Director's Association and the National Funeral Director's Association. Ashley and her husband Jesse “JD” of Sacramento, CA., along with their two daughters Vaeya and Ronan, relocated to Tennessee in 2016 after JD medically retired from the United States Marine Corps. Their family together attends Faith Promise Church. Ashley enjoys spending time with her family and their pets, volunteering as leaders to help Veterans and their families struggling with PTSD through a faith-based program called, “Reboot Combat Recovery” alongside her husband JD, and taking their girls to the lake. Ashley decided to pursue her calling in funeral service after she and Jesse their son, Grant, passed away in 2013; in hopes of helping grieving families.

Raymond joins the Rose Mortuary staff as our first comfort dog. Ray is a graduate of Off Leash K9 Training Knoxville's emotional support animal development training program where he earned a Good Citizen Certificate from the AKC. Ray love's to snuggle and be given treats.

Ronna has served in Knoxville in funeral service for over 10 years and has found her home at Rose. Serving families with excellence is her passion. A graduate of Jefferson State Community College, Ronna is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Tennessee and a member of the Tennessee Funeral Director Association as well as the National Funeral Director Association. Ronna is married to Brad Manis and has three daughters, Kayla (Todd), Kara and Avery, as well as two grandchildren, Lilly and Beau. She and her family attend NorthStar Church South and enjoy fishing, hiking and camping, especially in the Smokies.